Bellator 193: “Larkin vs. Gonzalez” takes place TONIGHT (Fri., Jan. 26, 2018) at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif., featuring a 180-pound Catchweight bout that sees former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) standout Lorenz Larkin (18-7, 1 NC) going against the resilient Fernando Gonzalez (27-14).
Fight fans can also look forward to a Lightweight scrap between Saad Awad (21-9) and J.J. Ambrose (26-7, 2 NC) and popular The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) winner Kendall Grove (23-17, 1 NC) facing A.J. Matthews (8-7) at Middleweight as each looks to stop a downhill slide and get back on track.
Bellator 193 will start at 9 p.m. ET on Paramount Network. MMAmania.com will deliver results and play-by-play for the entirety of the Bellator MMA card.
Many readers check in before, during and after the fights to share their thoughts on all of the action. Feel free to leave a comment (or 193) about the bouts and chat with all the other Maniacs during the show — it’s always a lot of fun!
BELLATOR 193 QUICK RESULTS:
Lorenz Larkin vs. Fernando Gonzalez — Larkin UD 29-28, 30-27 X2.
Saad Awad vs. J.J. Ambrose — Awad 30-27 X3.
Kendall Grove vs. AJ Matthews — Matthews SD 29-28, 28-29, 30-27.
Jake Smith vs. Steve Kozola — Smith KO 0:57 R1.
Ben Beebe vs. Everett Cummings — unaired before Paramount.
Mike Andaya vs. Julio Aguilera — unaired before Paramount.
Andrew Natividad vs. Justin Lawrence — unaired before Paramount.
DeMarcus Brown vs. Joshua Jones — unaired before Paramount.
Tyrell Fortune vs. Joe Hernandez — Fortune 30-26 X3.
Moses Murrietta vs. Chris Herrera — unaired before Paramount.
Tim Riscen vs. Mark Vorgeas — unaired before Paramount.
Tyree Fortune vs. Michael Quintero — Fortune 29-28 X3.
BELLATOR 193 PLAY-BY-PLAY:
Lorenz Larkin vs. Fernando Gonzalez
Larkin has on the red gloves and bright red bordering on pink trunks tonight. He’s 18-7 (1 NC) and looking to avoid his third straight loss since jumping from UFC to Bellator. Gonzalez is in the blue gloves and dark red trunks, he’s 27-14, and he’s looking to pick up his third straight win. Larkin has a 4” reach advantage at 72” vs. 68”. Gonzalez fights out of Menifee, California and Larkin fights out of Riverside, California. Our referee is Jason Herzog.
Round 1: A glove tap gets us underway. Gonzalez and Larkin are working the leg kicks early as Larkin tries to pressure him to the outer circle. Gonzalez periodically connects with a left hook while Larkin prefers the straight right hand. Spin kick by Larkin misses at 2:44. Body kick connects. He goes for the head kick and Gonzalez checks it. The leg kick lands for Larkin. Gonzalez is getting caught looking on a lot of strikes. Loud kick at 4:02. Gonzalez responds by coming forward bombing. He settles down and Larkin lands a body kick then misses with the right hook. Gonzalez throws a big left that misses. Gonzalez eats an uppercut late. 10-9 Larkin.
Round 2: The first strike is a leg kick by Larkin to Gonzalez. Larkin’s head kick is checked at 31 seconds and then he backs out of the way of a left hand bomb from Gonzalez. Gonzalez eats a combo at 1:16. Larkin follows with a right hook. Larkin bounces side to side trying to draw Gonzalez forward. Head kick is checked. 1-2 lands. Big left hook for Gonzalez at 3:05. Another lands at 3:40. Gonzalez is knocked off his feet at 4:02 . Larkin teases a jump knee. Gonzalez wades in throwing body shots. This round is almost a toss-up but I suspect the judges favor Larkin 10-9.
Round 3: Larkin lands a heavy body kick at 23 seconds and follows with a leg kick, and a pattern emerges that whenever Gonzalez feels he got stung he tries to bomb his way back into the fight. Both men have worked up a sweat but Larkin is almost shiny in comparison to Gonzalez. That doesn’t prove he’s expensing more energy but it might lead you to think so. He’s connecting with combos with frequency. Larkin is mixing in the kicks with the jabs and hooks. Left hook right hand left hook for Larkin with two minutes left. Gonzalez is so tough and durable that he’s not getting rocked but he’s still being outscored. Gonzalez once again presses forward eating 2-3 shots to give one, but making that one count. Larkin may have finally rocked Gonzalez with 16 seconds left and he follows up with uppercuts, two right elbows over the top and a knee but Gonzalez never falls down. That flurry at the end iced a 10-9 round and the win.
Final result:
Saad Awad vs. J.J. Ambrose
Ambrose is out first wearing the blue gloves and black trunks with a pro record of 26-7 (2 NC). Awad has on the red gloves, gray trunks, and a pro record of 21-9. 69.5” to 73” reach from Ambrose to Awad is the biggest difference on the tale of the tape. Ambrose fights out of Guam while Awad fights out of San Bernardino, California. Mark Smith is our referee.
Round 1: Ambrose is wary of Awad’s power early. Awad kicks the left leg three times instead even though he can’t land the right hand. A fourth kick lands. Ambrose finally avoids a couple and throws out his left. He’s backing up and letting Awad get off first. Awad is popping the crowd by throwing nasty looking hands even when they don’t connect. 2:30. The right and left hook land clean at 2:38. Ambrose’s left leg undoubtedly feels like crap already. Awad keeps throwing pairs of hooks. There’s no doubt he wants to clean Ambrose’s clock. Ambrose lands a left jab. Awad to the outside and inside of the left leg. Awad lands the right hook, Ambrose responds with a takedown, he tries to spin to the back but Awad gets to his knees and is up with short time left. 10-9 Awad.
Round 2: Glove tap starts R2. Ambrose hasn’t changed up his stance and Awad is looking to tag the leg. Awad spreads his hands and begs Ambrose to engage then lands a left hook. He throws out the side kick and touches Ambrose. Awad is feeling his oats now. Awad spins behind Ambrose, throws him to the ground, takes the back and lets the hooks go to defend against the wrist control of Ambrose. He spins to the back again at 1:50 and Ambrose stands back up. Knees to the leg before Awad drags him back to the ground at the halfway point with both hooks in and a body triangle cinched up. The rear naked choke has to be coming next. Nope. Full mount instead. Ambrose slips out in the transition. More knees to the leg from Awad. Ambrose partially blocks another takedown but not the next one after it. Even more knees from Awad. Ambrose draws a warning for grabbing the fence. He gets a headlock and gets on top of Awad with 20 seconds left but cant find a submission in short time. 10-9 Awad.
Round 3: Awad is taken down 47 seconds into R3 as Ambrose looks for an opportunity to turn things around late in the fight. He can’t keep him there as Awad stands up at 1:30 pushing Ambrose into the fence looking to trip the leg. Mark Smith gives another warning not to grab the cage. Ambrose is the one who gets Awad down to a knee and looks to take his back at 2:10. Ambrose lands lefts and rights to the head from behind before Awad gets back up at 2:36. Awad throws him down 12 seconds later. Awad has side control and quickly moves to full mount before taking the back even quicker. Awad is going for the RNC with 90 seconds left but Ambrose blocks it successfully. Awad tries to counter to a kimura but Awad gets back full mount with short time left. 10-9 Awad.
Final result: The judges score this fight 30-27 all for Saad Awad by unanimous decision.
Kendall Grove vs. AJ Matthews
Matthews is out first in the blue gloves and black trunks with brown trim. Grove has on red gloves and solid black trunks. Matthews is 8-7, Grove is 23-17 (1 NC). 30 to 35, 6’0” to 6’6”, 76” to 79” reach from Matthews to Grove. Matthews fights out of Manila, Philippines and Grove fights out of Maui, Hawaii. Our referee is Jason Herzog.
Round 1: Matthews is looking to cut angles and throw a left hook in the opening half minute. He also connects with a left leg kick. Grove knocks Matthews down as he’s momentarily off balance. Matthews pops a straight left jab. Grove with a leg kick and a front kick. Matthews jabs to the body. Body kick from Matthews and a combo. Right hook and another. Matthews is forcing Grove to back up. Push kick by Grove. Body shots by Matthews and more kicks to the left leg of Grove. Right hook for Matthews. Jab to the body misses. Kick from Grove and a left hook. Flurry by Grove at 3:42. Head kick by Matthews is checked. Body shots are not. Grove throws a wild overhand right that doesn’t connect. Body shot by Matthews. Switch kick from Grove. Body kick by Matthews. Combo by Grove. Leg kick from Matthews. 10-9 Matthews.
Round 2: Matthews continues to attack the body and the legs early. Matthews closes the distance at 57 seconds then breaks the clinch clean. He misses with a looping right and they move back to center. Body kick by Matthews. Grove with a flurry at 1:46. Matthews continues to get in and out clean with his kicks. Left hand jab for Grove. Head kick attempt by Matthews at 2:50. Left jab for Matthews. Left back from Grove. Right hand to the jaw left hand to the body left kick to the body for Matthews. Left hook by Matthews. Another hard kick to the left leg of Grove, and he backs off before the next one lands. Clean right hook for Matthews. Another 10-9 for Matthews.
Round 3: Once again Matthews is moving forward and connecting with combos and leg kicks. The bigger taller Grove is constantly being attacked and not able to respond, and when he does exchange at 1:18 he’s the one who gets momentarily stunned. Matthews has trained with Grove in the past and because of that really seems to has his number now. Matthews lands an overhand right at 2:04 and throws a flying head kick that seems to partially land too — Grove wasn’t able to capitalize when Matthews hit the ground. He gets back up and continues to pressure “Da Spyder,” weaving his own web around the former TUF winner. Left jab right hook combo stings Grove. He has 80 seconds left to pull something out of his rear. Grove ducks under a hook, considers a clinch, considers a takedown, does nothing with either one. Matthews is 30 seconds away from his first win in four straight Bellator fights. 10-9 Matthews once again.
Final result: 29-28 Matthews, 29-28 Grove, 30-27 Matthews by split decision.
Jake Smith vs. Steve Kozola
Red gloves and black trunks for Kozola, fighting out of Huntington Beach, California. Blue gloves and black trunks for Smith, fighting out of Vancouver, Washington. 8-1 vs. 6-2, 28 to 26, 5’11” to 5’9”, 73” to 66.5” from the former to the latter. Our referee is Frank Trigg.
Round 1: Kozola pushes forward from the opening bell and quickly has Smith moving sideways next to the cage. He steps forward a little at 29 seconds but Kozola keeps walking him down and lands a combo. Kozola lands the overhand right but Smith responds with an even better right hand that stuns Kozola and wobbles his legs, then a second right as he’s trying to get his composure that lays him out. IT IS ALL OVER.
Final result: Jake Smith wins by knockout at 0:57 in the first round.
Ben Beebe vs. Everett Cummings
Round 1: Unaired before Paramount.
Final result: To be determined.
Mike Andaya vs. Julio Aguilera
Round 1: Unaired before Paramount.
Final result: To be determined.
Andrew Natividad vs. Justin Lawrence
Round 1: Unaired before Paramount.
Final result: To be determined.
DeMarcus Brown vs. Joshua Jones
Round 1: Unaired before Paramount.
Final result: To be determined.
Tyrell Fortune vs. Joe Hernandez
3-0 vs. 3-2 from Fortune to Hernandez, 27 to 29, 6’2” to 6’3”, 239.7 to 259 in weight, the reach virtually identical at 76” or just over. Fortune has black trunks and red gloves fighting out of Tempe, Arizona, Hernandez has black trunks and blue gloves fighting out of Whittier, California. Our referee in charge is Mark Smith.
Round 1: Tap of gloves gets the action underway as both men circle looking to feel out the distance. Hernandez lands a shot as Fortune tries to step in. Straight left jab from Fortune. Hernandez misses with a spin kick. Not a whole lot of strikes on either side in the first 90 seconds but Fortune is trying to use forward pressure to move Hernandez toward the outside. Hernandez throws a body kick. Another straight left jab by Fortune. Body kick by Fortune. R1 is halfway done. One of Hernandez’ kicks strays South but both men wave it off as Smith checks on it. Fortune drives Hernandez into the cage on a level change. Hernandez lands a knee to the groin and Smith calls time. Hernandez gets a stiff warning from Smith after the restart and Fortune immediately drives and hits a double leg takedown at 3:54. Fortune tunes Hernandez up and looks for a head and arm choke with short time left but Hernandez survives. 10-9 Fortune.
Round 2: Another glove tap opens R2. Hernandez swings and misses. Fortune bounces forward cautiously and Hernandez circles. Fortune lands the left jab. Big left hook at 58 seconds. Body kick from Hernandez follows a shot to the cranium. Head kick is checked by Fortune. Hernandez controls the center as Fortune looks for his opening, throwing the left jab again at 1:49. Now Fortune and Hernandez stand in the middle sizing each other up. Fortune goes forward at 2:24 and throws a knee instead of changing levels. Leg kick by Hernandez. Back kick. Spin kick. Fortune pushes Hernandez into the cage. Hernandez throws two knees from there. Fortune returns the favor. One minute left as they break. Fortune drives a double as he ducks under a punch and gets it at 4:11. Other than backing off for a couple seconds he’s on top to the bell. 10-9 Fortune.
Round 3: Hernandez throws a spin kick and Fortune counters it into taking his back then turning that into a takedown to side control, where he immediately lands the left elbow to the the head – looking to land several more. One person in the audience is loudly yelling “BOOOO.” Just one. Fortune ignores it and steps over for full mount at 1:51. Big right elbow cracks the cranium. Right hands follow. Fortune draws a warning for shots to the back of the head. He postures up at 2:59 throwing a furious flurry of strikes. Hernandez is bleeding profusely now. Hernandez slips out at 3:27 and gets back to his feet, blood pouring off the right side of his face. It smears onto Fortune’s back as he goes for another takedown, gets it at 4:16, then has full mount 10 seconds later. He didn’t get a stoppage but that’s a 10-8 round for Fortune.
Final result: All three judges score it 30-26 for Tyrell Fortune by unanimous decision.
Moses Murrietta vs. Chris Herrera
Round 1: Unaired before Paramount.
Final result: To be determined.
Tim Riscen vs. Mark Vorgeas
Round 1: Unaired before Paramount.
Final result: To be determined.
Tyree Fortune vs. Michael Quintero
Red gloves and black trunks for Fortune, blue gloves and white trunks for Quintero. Both men are 3-0, Fortune is 27 while Quintero is 41. 76.5” reach to 81” reach from the former to the latter. Fortune fights out of Portland, Oregon while Quintero fights out of Pico Rivera, California. Our referee in charge is Jason Herzog.
Round 1: Quintero lands the first kick to start the fight and pushes forward for a clinch. Fortune quickly turns him around and throws a knee against the fence. They spin back and forth as the assembled media and corner men look on. Fortune gets a takedown at 55 seconds and jumps into half guard. Quintero tries and fails to peel him off with a left elbow stuck right under his chin. He sits up and Fortune wraps that warm around the neck then pushes him back down at 1:52. He pushes Quintero into the fence but Quintero pushes him back into full guard. Fortune stands up to drop bombs then takes Quintero’s back when he gets up too. Quintero draws a warning for grabbing the fence then Fortune drags him to the ground and goes for a choke. Quintero escapes but Fortune hangs onto the back mount throwing his right hand and trying to get the arm in again. It’s not there but he wins round one 10-9.
Round 2: Quintero immediately comes forward and drops levels for a single leg but can’t hold onto it. He goes back to throwing kicks and Fortune pushes him into the fence. Quintero blocks a throw and winds up on top in full mount throwing rights to the head. Fortune fails to buck him off at 1:44. Quintero wants a kimura but he can’t lock it up. Fortune escapes at 2:44 but Quintero throws him back to the ground and tries to take his back. Fortune is up again at 3:01. Quintero starts pouring on hands and knees against the fence but Fortune counters a throw himself and now he’s on top in full mount. Quintero scrambles but Fortune takes his back with a minute left. Quintero turns out and it on top at 4:26. He takes the back with one hook in and short time left. Quintero 10-9.
Round 3: They tap gloves to open the final round and Quintero throws heavy right hands. Fortune ties up with him and Quintero unloads a knee then moves to take the back but can’t hold on to it. They break at 50 seconds to trade jabs and kicks. Fortune throws Quintero down at 1:03 but he’s back up 5 seconds later. Fortune tries another throw but once again puts Quintero on top in full mount doing so. Fortune tries to get out and pick the ankle but it’s Quintero who gives him the opening by trying to grab a choke and slipping off, letting Fortune on top in half guard. Quintero was looking for a kimura but couldn’t get it. Fortune unloads a carefully targeted knee and takes the back as Quintero covers up to avoid damage. Quintero stands back up at 3:16. Fortune tries the lateral drop one more time and almost puts Quintero on top of him again but rescues the attempt and is on top in half guard with a minute to go. Fortune 10-9 but I can see at least one judge deciding to give two rounds to Quintero to make it a split decision.
Final result: Fortune wins a unanimous 29-28 X3 decision.